Thursday 26 July, 2018
The
Ashburton District Council has today confirmed its final proposal for the
representation arrangements that will be in place for the local body elections
in October 2019.
The
arrangements include continuing with the three ward structure with a slight
amendment to the ward boundaries, reducing the number of elected members from
12 to nine and retaining the Methven Community Board.
The
Council consulted on the proposed arrangements from 18 May until 18 June, and
received 33 submissions, of which 67 per cent were in support of the proposal.
Under
the Local Electoral Act 2001, all councils are required to review their
representation arrangements at least once every six years. The Council last
reviewed its arrangements in 2012.
“Undertaking
a review is a way to help ensure the Council is effectively and efficiently
meeting our community’s representation needs,” Ashburton Deputy Mayor Neil
Brown says.
“Thank
you to everyone who made a submission in June or provided feedback on our early
suggestions for the representation arrangements in February. Your voice has
helped make sure that we have the right arrangements in place ready for the
next election.”
Council
will publically notify the decision in the Ashburton Guardian, online and
through its social media channels before 30 July, and those who made a
submission will have the opportunity to lodge an appeal by Friday 31 August,
2018.
Maps
of the ward boundaries and further details of the reviewed representation
arrangements will be available online and at
the Council office, 5 Baring Square West, Ashburton.